Acute necrotizing infections of the fascial planes and subcutaneous tissue produce extensive destruction of tissue, blood stream invasion by the causative pathogen, and systemic toxicity. The mortality is high.1 This report presents two premature infants who, while recovering from their primary illness in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Cook County Hospital, developed acute necrotizing infections of fascia and subcutaneous tissue due to group B streptococcus.

Report of Cases.—Case 1.—A 1,070-gm male infant was born by spontaneous vaginal delivery at 28 weeks of gestation with an Apgar score of 5. Severe hyaline membrane disease developed in the infant and he required mechanical ventilatory assistance for six weeks. During this period, ligation of patent ductus arteriosis was performed. At 7 weeks of age, when the infant was fairly stable and receiving nasogastric drip feedings, an episode of vomiting and apnea occurred. A red indurated swelling of the lateral